Modeling of Metals and Metal Sponges via Embedded Particle Computer Simulation

Abstract

Abstract. In this article we review the embedded atom method when adapted to study solid friction and the mechanical behavior of model metals. The method incorporates the effect of electronic glue through effective many-body potentials. The elastic properties of real metals are reproduced by a set of basic model potentials as revealed by analytic considerations. A slightly modified version of a classical NonEquilibrium Molecular Dynamics (NEMD) computer simulation is employed to study the dynamics and structural changes of the model metal undergoing a process of solid friction and an uniaxial compression, in order to analyze, e.g. plastic yield, transient friction coefficients, and the underlying structure. Under appropriate choice of parameters, the model is also applicable to study porous metals.